Isotope exchange is a research area within chemistry and physics that focuses on the process of isotopic substitution within molecules or compounds. Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons, resulting in differing atomic weights. Isotope exchange studies the mechanisms and kinetics of how different isotopes can exchange within a molecule or compound, leading to the formation of new isotopically labeled molecules. This research has applications in fields such as isotopic labeling in biological or environmental studies, understanding chemical reactions and mechanisms, and developing new materials with specific isotopic compositions.